Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1887-06-30


was Mt about this time that Eustace re.
turned nome, declaring that lie would
never 60 back to college
At about this time, also. mornentous
even.s were occurring in Mabcl's life. A
beautiful girl, with an amiable and sweet
disposition, with most winning ways and
with wealthy father moving in good
social position, ~ was not to be wondered
ut TINT she Ind suitors for her hand; but
there were only two whose affection for
her was regarded seriously 10y the family.
One OF these was Mr.. Edward Layton, the
other Mr.. Archibald Laing.
Mabers father favored the suit of Arch
fbald Iaing; Mabel's uncle, the gentle
man who was upon the jury in the trial.
favored the suit of Edward Layton. He
was never weary Of sounding the young
mans praises, and il may be that this
rather strengthened Mabels father against
Edward Layton. However, the young
lady had decided for herself. She had
given her heart to Edward Layton. and
there grew between them an absorbing
and devoted attachment.
While these matters were In progress
both Archibald J.aing and Edward lay
ton were admitted freely to the house,
and thus they had equal chances. But
when the lady whom two men are in love
with makes up her mind, the chances are
no longer equal. 1t was not without n
struggle that Archibald LANG abandoned
his prctensions. From what afterwnrd
.ranSpircd he could not have loved Mabel
with less strength than Edward Layton
did. IL was no small sacrifice on his part
TO relinquish his hopes OF winning Mabel
Tor his wife, more especially when her
father was on his side. There were inter-
views OF an affecting nature between him
ana Mabel. There were interviews. also
between him and Edward LAYTON The
TWO men hal been friends long before they
came into association with Mabel Rut-
land and IL speaks well for the generosity
and nobility OF their natures that this nf-
fair OF the heart-the like of which has
been the cause of bitter feuds from time
immemorial-did not turn their friendship
into enmity. In the estimate of their
characters Mt this period Archibald Laing
showed the higher nobility, for the reason
that IT dcVolved upon him To make yolun-
tary and hcartrending sacrifice. He in
formed the young ludy's parents that he
gave up all hope OF obtaining their daugh-
ter's hand, and ut the same time he de-
claret that If it ever lay in his power to
render Mabel or Edward Layton SER
vice, he would not hesitate to render It.
whatever might be the cost Nobly has
He suffered much-to such m extent
indeed, that he determined to leave tn,
country, and find a home in another land
He babe the Rutlands farewell by letter,
and sailed for America, where he settled,
ana realized an amazing fortune.
The field was thus left free for Mabel
and Edward. Mr.. Rutland was seriously
displeascd. He had been thwarted in a
wish that was very dear to him, and
he was not the kind of man to for
get the defeat. Although Edward Lay
ton was allowed To come to the house
Mr.. Rutland received him without favor,
and it was only upon the implorinQ
and repeated solicitations of his wife
ami daughter that he consented to an
engagement between the young peo-
pie. 1t was half hearted consent, and
caused them some unl.appiness. More
than once he declared in their presence,
and in the presence of his wife, that il
anything ever occurred which would cast
the slightest shadow of doubt or dishonor
upon Edward Layton, no power on earth
should induce him to allow the marriage
IN take place. 1t was not necessary for
MN To impress upon them that, above
everything else in the world, no was
jealous of his good name They knew
this well enough, and were in n certain
sense proud in the knowledge, because the
stainless reputation he bore reflected
honor upon themselves. But they did not
see the cloud that was hanging above
them. 1t gathered surely and steadily,
and brought with it terrible events, in the
whirlpool OF which the happiness OF
Mabel and Edward WAS fated to be in
quilted.
The cause lay not in themselves. II law
IN Eustace Rutland. 1t was lie who was
responsible for ALL
lie YVES i'm London, in partial disgrace
with his father. lie was without a
career he had already contracted vicious
and idle habits; he was frequently from
EHme; and although his father questioned
him severely, he would give no truthful
account II his movements and proceed
ings Come .Scc1unts he did give but his
father kne,.- nsltpctivcly that they were
false or evasivc. AS nc could obtain no
satisfaction from is son, Mr.. Rutland,
aware of the perfect confidence which ex-
listed between Eustace and Mabel, applied
to her for information; but she wQuIG not
utter one word IN her brothers hurt. Her
father could extract nothing from her, ana
there gradually grew within him an idea
that there was n conspiracy against him
IN his own home, conspiracy in which
Edward Layton was the principal agent.
IL was natural, perhaps, that lie should
think more hardly of this stranger than
OF his own children
ITO BE CoSTISUEp.l